Teacher Times #15
December 8, 2014
Birthdays of the WeekRebecca Couvertier 12/13
Guidelines for Holiday DisplaysPlease be aware of and sensitive to the significance of seasonal observances and religious holidays as you work to foster mutual understanding and respect for your community’s diverse religious, racial, ethnic, and cultural heritages. Public schools may not endorse or promote a particular religion or belief system. Please share these guidelines regarding the display of cultural and holiday symbols with your staff:
§ The primary purpose of any display should be to promote understanding and respect for the rights of all individuals regarding their beliefs, values, and customs. § The display of holiday symbol decorations with secular dimensions is permitted. Displays that depict images of deities, other religious figures, or religious texts are prohibited. Permitted symbols include, but are not limited to, Christmas trees, kinaras, dreidels, menorahs, and the Star and Crescent. § Holiday displays must not appear to promote or celebrate any single religion or holiday. Therefore, any permitted symbol or decoration must be displayed simultaneously with other symbols or decorations reflecting different beliefs or customs. § All holiday displays should be temporary in nature. Grant OpportunitiesGrant opportunities are posted on the Grants website (you can visit the page on any computer using this link). This week’s highlights include:
§ From Failure to Promise K-12 Educator's Grants |
Pic Of The Week
Professional Development and Student OpportunitiesProfessional development and student opportunities are posted on the PD and Student Opportunities page. This week’s highlights include:
All Schools: § Apply by December 9: BetterLesson FastCycle PD Pilots § Participate on December 10: Explore the Riches of the Gilded Age with a Free Curator-Led Tour at the City Museum § Apply by December 11: Service in Schools Service-Learning Grant Opportunity § Apply by December 11: The Constitution Works Teacher Professional Development § Register by December 12: Symphony Space Presents Traditional Music, Dance, and Storytelling of Africa § Register by December 14: Educators Open House with Kosher Reception to Celebrate “Letters to Afar” Exhibition at the City Museum § Participate on December 18: Attend a Book Signing and Presentation by Professor Cindy R. Lobel § Participate on December 18: Art-Making for Students with Special Needs § Participate on December 21: Family Performance—Weave a Tale § Ongoing: 2014-15 Guided School Visits at The Frick Collection Middle and High Schools: § Register by December 10: Free Lead2Feed Teacher Training § Register by December 12: Masters-level Certificate in Global Competence Education § Apply by December 17: Apply to Participate in the 2015-16 New Teacher Preparation Partnership Program High Schools: § Apply by December 17: Frick Forum Program at The Frick Collection § Apply by January 2: Love and Forgiveness - A Call for Art § Register by December 23: FAFSA Completion Events for New York State Students |